CNS-Related Effects Caused by Vanadium at Realistic Exposure Levels in Humans: A Comprehensive Overview Supplemented with Selected Animal Studies.

Neurodegenerative disorders, which are currently incurable diseases of the nervous system, are a constantly growing social concern. They are progressive and lead to gradual degeneration and/or death of nerve cells, resulting in cognitive deterioration or impaired motor functions. New therapies that would ensure better treatment results and contribute to a significant slowdown in the progression of neurodegenerative syndromes are constantly being sought. Vanadium (V), which is an element with a wide range of impacts on the mammalian organism, is at the forefront among the different metals studied for their potential therapeutic use. On the other hand, it is a well-known environmental and occupational pollutant and can exert adverse effects on human health. As a strong pro-oxidant, it can generate oxidative stress involved in neurodegeneration. Although the detrimental effects of vanadium on the CNS are relatively well recognized, the role of this metal in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, at realistic exposure levels in humans, is not yet well characterized. Hence, the main goal of this review is to summarize data on the neurological side effects/neurobehavioral alterations in humans, in relation to vanadium exposure, with the focus on the levels of this metal in biological fluids/brain tissues of subjects with some neurodegenerative syndromes. Data collected in the present review indicate that vanadium cannot be excluded as a factor playing a pivotal role in the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative illnesses, and point to the need for additional extensive epidemiological studies that will provide more evidence supporting the relationship between vanadium exposure and neurodegeneration in humans. Simultaneously, the reviewed data, clearly showing the environmental impact of vanadium on health, suggest that more attention should be paid to chronic diseases related to vanadium and to the assessment of the dose-response relationship.

Pandemic grief in Poland: adaptation of a measure and its relationship with social support and resilience.

Millions of people are mourning the death of a loved to COVID-19. According to previous studies, the circumstances of coronavirus disease-related deaths may lead to dysfunctional grief. The purpose of this study was to introduce the Polish adaptation of the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) as well as to assess the relationship between dysfunctional grief due to a COVID-19 death, resilience and perceived social support. The adaptation was carried out on a general population sample of 286 individuals aged 18-54 years, with the evaluation being performed on a group comprising 214 people aged 18-78 years, who lost a loved one during the pandemic. The Polish version of PGS revealed a single-factor structure with strong internal consistency (α = 0.89). The PGS scores were associated with measures of complicated grief (Inventory of Complicated Grief), depression (Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale) and lower resilience (Resilience Scale 14), which confirmed the scale's convergent validity. No relation between PGS scores and health behaviors (Inventory of Health Behaviors) was observed, which confirmed the scale's discriminant validity. The results of the bootstrapping technique revealed that resilience mediates the relationship between perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) and dysfunctional grief (total mediation). The results of this study suggest the need for practitioners to focus on resilience-enhancing interventions and perceived social support in order to improve mental health in people who lost their loved ones during the new coronavirus pandemic.

The link between ego-resiliency, social support, SARS-CoV-2 anxiety and trauma effects. Polish adaptation of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale.

Reports to date have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may have a negative impact on individuals' mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between ego-resiliency, social support, coronavirus anxiety and trauma effects. The study employed the Polish adaptation of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). It involved 515 individuals aged 18-78. The Polish version of CAS revealed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.86). Structural equation modeling indicated that ego-resiliency (the Ego-Resiliency Scale) and social support (the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were correlated and negatively predicted the severity of the novel coronavirus anxiety (CAS). Moreover, the level of anxiety showed positive correlation with negative trauma effects (the short form of the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire). The scores indicate the need for practitioners to focus on interventions which elevate ego-resiliency and perceived social support to improve mental health during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

IS IT WORTH EXAMINING EEG FUNCTION IN PEOPLE UNDERGOING ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY?

The vast majority of hip or knee arthroplasty finishes with improved limb functional status. Despite this, some patients do not recover; they "save" the operated limb; they cannot trust it. This also happens in patients whose range of motion and muscle strength are rated as very good. It is possible, therefore, that the causes must be located in the movement initiating centre, in the motor cortex. We can link the activation and changes in the metabolism of the cerebral cortex, e.g. during limb movement, with the changes in bioelectrical activity visible in electroencephalography (EEG). Conclusions: Our literature analysis shows that so far, no study has been conducted to check whether EEG activity changes over the sensory-motor region after lower limb arthroplasty. We propose the design of such a study with an analysis of potential difficulties that would have to be overcome by the team undertaking the challenge. The obtained data could be the basis for neurorehabilitation using the EEG biofeedback method. Effective interventions would further improve the quality of life.

Differences in motivation during the bench press movement with progressive loads using EEG analysis.

Considering our preliminary research with EEG analysis of the bench press in experienced powerlifters, we hypothesized that there would be significant differences in motivation between novice and elite powerlifters. Therefore the main objective of this study was to identify patterns of frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) of the prime movers by alpha frequency band analysis (named as alpha motivation values) for each 35-100% one-repetition maximum (1RM) during the flat bench press. Ten novice powerlifters with no more than 2.5 years of resistance training experience and ten elite powerlifters with at least 7.5 years of training experience participated in the study. All participants were required to squat, bench press, and deadlift 100, 125, and 150% of their body mass, respectively. The athletes constituted a homogeneous group with respect to age (mean 22.3 ± 0.5 years). The EEG recordings were conducted using automatic headcups with 19 electrodes that were placed according to the International 10-20 Electrode Placement System. Signals from 8-12 Hz considering points F3 and F4 were analyzed. Furthermore, electromyographic (EMG) signals from the trapezius muscle were recorded. Before testing, moods and emotions of subjects were assessed to eliminate subjects with intense emotions. The results showed brain activity before, during and after cognitive and motor performance using electroencephalography (EEG). However, considering the still existing problems of movement artefacts during EEG measurements, eligible sports and exercises are limited to those that are relatively motionless during execution. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Demographic characteristics of MS patients in Poland's upper Silesia region.

OBJECTIVES: In Poland, no national registry of MS patients has yet been introduced. So far, no demographic studies have been conducted in patients with MS in Upper Silesia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, for the first time, a selected demographic and clinical parameters in MS patients from the Upper Silesia region and compare these characteristics with previously published data from other regions of Poland. MATERIALS & METHODS: 640 patients with clinically defined MS, were prospectively and randomly selected for the study. Social, socio-economic, and demographic data were obtained through a questionnaire study. All subjects performed a self-assessment of their health condition using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS version questionnaires. RESULTS: The ratio of women to men was 2.18. The average age of onset was 29.6 ± 11.1 years; the disease duration was 7.9 ± 4.5 years. The relapsing-remitting form of MS was diagnosed in 73.12%. In 71.25% the onset was monofocal and in 28.75% multifocal disease onset was observed. Among the studied population 339 (52.97%) patients were still employed. A mean EQ-VAS score of 66.11 ± 20.12 was calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our study identify for the first time the demographic and clinical characteristics of the Upper Silesia MS population.

[Psychometric and neurophysiological assessment of cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy using the neurophysiological method and psychological tests, and analysis the relationship between clinical features of the disease and test results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 31 patients with epilepsy aged 37.3±18.4 years. The control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers aged 33.5±12.2 years. Cognitive functions were assessed using endogenous evoked potential P300 and psychological tests - Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), three subtests of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), Trail Making Test (TMT), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Epileptic patients achieved significantly lower scores in all, except STAI-1, psychological tests in relation to the controls. A correlation between age and TMT-A (p<0.050) and BVRT (p<0.050) was observed. The disease duration affected results of MMSE (p<0.050), TMT-B (p<0.050) and BVRT (p<0.050). Type of seizures was related to results of MMSE (p=0.005), type of therapy - to results of STAI-1 (p=0.014) and TMT-B (p=0.008). The average latency of P300 was significantly prolonged (p=0.00003) in epileptic patients (348±38ms) in relation to the controls (324±26ms). The relationship between P300 and the duration of seizures (p=0.017) was observed. There was no correlation between P300 and age, sex, frequency and type of seizures and therapy. A correlation between P300 and TMT-B (p<0.050), BVRT-LPO(p<0.050) and STAI-1 (p<0.050) was noticed. CONCLUSION: In epileptic patients cognitive impairment is often found. It is advisable to perform regular neuropsychological testing; P300 can be used only as a preliminary assessment.

[Sexual dysfunctions and sexual satisfaction among multiple sclerosis patients]. / Zaburzenia funkcji seksualnych a satysfakcja seksualna u chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with unclear pathogenesis. Among other clinical manifestations, sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common but still underreported and underdiagnosed symptom of the disorder. SD in MS patients may resultfrom a complex set of conditions and may be associated with multiple anatomic, physiologic, biologic, medical and psychological factors. SD arises primarily from lesions affecting the neural pathways involved in physiologic function. In addition, psychological factors, the side effects of medications and physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscular weakness, pain and concerns about bladder and bowel incontinence may also be involved. Since MS primarily affects young people, SD secondary to MS may have a great impact on quality of life.Thus, maintaining a healthy sexual life with MS is an important priority.

Diagnosis of cognitive disorders in primary health care in Poland. / Diagnostyka zaburzen poznawczych w ramach podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej w Polsce.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and the rules of proceeding concerning primary health care (PHC) doctors in the field of screening diagnostics for cognitive disorders in elderly people in Poland. METHODS: The study included 175 PHC doctors. A validated anonymous questionnaire was used. The survey was conducted using the PAPI (Paper and Pencil Interviews) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews) methods. RESULTS: The vast majority of the respondents (n=159; 91.4%) saw the advisability of screening for cognitive disorders in the age group >65 years of age, but only 53 subjects (30.29%) believed that these tests should be conducted by general practitioners (GPs). According to the surveyed doctors, the main obstacle in the diagnostics of cognitive functions is the lack of time - this was the opinion of 142 (81.14%) respondents. When dementia was suspected, the respondents usually ordered laboratory tests and referred patients to a neurologist (n=111; 63.4%). The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were the most popular scales assessing cognitive functions, known by 120 doctors (68.57%), and 122 respondents (69.71%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Polish GPs are aware of the necessity of screening for cognitive disorders in seniors. Currently, there are no mechanisms within primary health care system that would enable proper early screening for dementia in people at the high risk (i.e.> 65 years of age). The development of standards for the early detection of cognitive disorders within primary health care system in Poland seems to be an urgent need.

The Cross-Sectional Area Assessment of Pelvic Muscles Using the MRI Manual Segmentation among Patients with Low Back Pain and Healthy Subjects.

The pain pathomechanism of chronic low back pain (LBP) is complex and the available diagnostic methods are insufficient. Patients present morphological changes in volume and cross-sectional area (CSA) of lumbosacral region. The main objective of this study was to assess if CSA measurements of pelvic muscle will indicate muscle atrophy between asymptomatic and symptomatic sides in chronic LBP patients, as well as between right and left sides in healthy volunteers. In addition, inter-rater reliability for CSA measurements was examined. The study involved 71 chronic LBP patients and 29 healthy volunteers. The CSA of gluteus maximus, medius, minimus and piriformis were measured using the MRI manual segmentation method. Muscle atrophy was confirmed in gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus and piriformis muscle for over 50% of chronic LBP patients (p < 0.05). Gluteus medius showed atrophy in patients with left side pain occurrence (p < 0.001). Muscle atrophy occurred on the symptomatic side for all inspected muscles, except gluteus maximus in rater one assessment. The reliability of CSA measurements between raters calculated using CCC and ICC presented great inter-rater reproducibility for each muscle both in patients and healthy volunteers (p < 0.95). Therefore, there is the possibility of using CSA assessment in the diagnosis of patients with symptoms of chronic LBP.

A Potential Objective Sign of Central Sensitization: Referred Pain Elicited by Manual Gluteus Minimus Muscle Exploration is Coincident with Pathological Autonomic Response Provoked by Noxious Stimulation.

Referred pain/sensation provoked by trigger points suits the nociplastic pain criteria. There is a debate over whether trigger points are related to a peripheral phenomenon or central sensitization (CS) processes. Referred pain is considered a possible sign of CS, which occurs probably mainly due to the abnormal activity of the immune and autonomic nervous systems. To confirm abnormal autonomic reactivity within the referred pain zone of active trigger points, a new diagnostic tool, the Skorupska Protocol® (the SP test®), was applied. The test uses noxious stimulation (10 minutes of dry needling under infrared camera control) as a diagnostic tool to confirm abnormal autonomic nervous system activity. A response to the SP test® of healthy subjects with referred pain sensations provoked by latent trigger points (LTrPs) stimulation was not explored before. The study aims at examining if LTrPs can develop an autonomic response. Methods. Two groups of healthy subjects, (i) gluteus minimus LTrPs with referred pain (n = 20) and (ii) control (n = 27), were examined using the SP test®. Results. Abnormal autonomic activity within the referred pain zone was confirmed for all analyzed LTrPs subjects. 70% of control subjects had no feature of vasodilatation and others presented minor vasomotor fluctuations. The size of vasomotor reactivity within the referred pain zone was LTrPs 11.1 + 10.96% vs. control 0.8 + 0.6% (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Noxious stimulation of latent TrPs induces abnormal autonomic nervous system activity within the referred pain zone. The observed phenomenon supports the concept of central nervous system involvement in the referred pain patomechanizm.

The Usefulness of Optical Coherence Tomography in Disease Progression Monitoring in Younger Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Centre Study.

The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the detection of the neurodegenerative process in younger patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study group consisted of 61 patients with a relapsing remitting course of MS (mean age 36.4 ± 6.7 years) divided into two groups: short (≤5 years) and long (>10 years) disease duration. OCT, P300 evoked potential, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and performance subtests (Picture Completion and Digit Symbol) of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale were performed in all patients. Mean values of most parameters assessed in OCT (pRNFL Total, pRNFL Inferior, pRNFL Superior, pRNFL Temporalis, mRNFL, GCIPL, mRNFL+GCIPL) were significantly lower in MS patients in comparison to controls. And in patients with longer disease duration in comparison to those with shorter. Most OCT parameters negatively correlated with the EDSS score (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between OCT results and both P300 latency and the results of psychometric tests. OCT, as a simple, non-invasive, quick, and inexpensive method, could be useful for monitoring the progression of disease in MS patients.

Religious Coping and Life Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Polish Catholics. The Mediating Effect of Coronavirus Anxiety.

Recent data have indicated that people may have experienced fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between religious coping and life satisfaction by analysing the indirect effects of fear of COVID-19. METHODS: This study included 365 people (75% women) aged 18-78 years. The procedure consisted of completing questionnaires to measure religious coping, COVID-19 anxiety, satisfaction with life, and satisfaction with social support. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling showed that positive religious coping was related to greater life satisfaction and greater satisfaction with social support during the pandemic. Moreover, fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between negative religious coping and life satisfaction and social support satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest a need for practitioners to focus on interventions that enhance positive religious coping to improve life satisfaction during the spread of infectious diseases.

Resilience and Mental Health in the Polish Population during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mediation Analysis.

The aim of this paper was to assess the state of resilience and well-being in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also assessed the relationship between resilience and mental health. Finally, we tested the mediating role of COVID-19 anxiety, persistent thinking, and the stress burden in the relationship between mental health and resilience. This research perspective can provide important insights into how individuals can become mentally stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study included 1758 people (73% women) aged 18-80 years. The procedure consisted of completing a questionnaire measuring well-being, COVID-19 anxiety, obsession with COVID-19, stress over COVID-19, and resilience. RESULTS: Bootstrap sampling analysis showed significant partial mediators for the relationship between resilience and well-being. Important mediators were coronavirus anxiety, persistent thinking, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study clearly indicate that resilience as a protective factor is associated with reduced anxiety about COVID-19, perceived stress burden, obsessive thoughts about the pandemic, and increased well-being of individuals. Resilience plays an important role in minimizing negative and enhancing positive health indicators in the face of challenging life events.

The Automatization of a New Thermography Method Using Invasive Nociceptive Stimulation to Confirm an Autonomic Phenomenon within a Trigger Point Referred Pain Zone.

The trigger points (TrPs) related to chronic low back pain that mimic sciatica have been lately recognized and included in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. This study examined the MATLAB software utility for the objective stratification of low back pain patients using the Minimally Invasive Procedure (MIP). The two diagnostic MIP parameters were: average temperature (ΔTavr) and autonomic referred pain (AURP). Chronic sciatica patients with TrPs (n = 20) and without TrPs (n = 20) were examined using the MIP. A significant increase in both parameters was confirmed for the thigh ROI of the TrP-positive patients, with ΔTavr being the leading parameter (p = 0.016, Exp(ß) = 2.603). A continued significance of both parameters was confirmed from 6'00″ to 15'30″ (p < 0.05). The maximum AURP value was confirmed at 13'30″ (p < 0.05) (TrPs(+) 20.4 ± 19.9% vs. TrPs(-) 3.77 ± 9.14%; p = 0.000; CI (0.347,0.348)).

Amplified Vasodilatation within the Referred Pain Zone of Trigger Points Is Characteristic of Gluteal Syndrome-A Type of Nociplastic Pain Mimicking Sciatica.

Gluteal syndrome (GS) mimicking sciatica is a new disease that has been recently recognized and included in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. The present study examines nociplastic pain involvement in GS and sciatica patients using a new Skorupska protocol (SP) test that provokes amplified vasodilatation in the area of expected muscle-referred pain. A positive test is confirmed if there is (i) a development of autonomic referred pain (AURP) and (ii) an increase in the delta of average temperature (Δ₸°) > 0.3 °C at the end of the stimulation and during the observation SP phases. Chronic GS (n = 20) and sciatica (n = 30) patients were examined. The SP test confirmed muscle-referred pain for (i) all GS patients with 90.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.6 ± 0.8 °C; maximum AURP 8.9 ± 13.6% (both p < 0.05)) and (ii) those sciatica (n = 8) patients who reported pain sensation during the test with 20.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.7 ± 0.7 °C; maximum AURP 15.1 ± 17.8% (both p < 0.05)). The remaining sciatica (n = 22) patients did not report pain during the test and presented a Δ₸° decrease and the AURP size below 1%. Conclusion: Amplified vasodilatation suggesting nociplastic pain involvement was confirmed for all GS and sciatica patients who reported painful sensations in the zone typical for gluteus minimus referred pain during the test.

Early onset Alzheimer's disease - a case study. / Choroba Alzheimera o wczesnym poczatku ­ opis przypadku.

Dementia syndromes constitute problem not only for the elderly. Early-onset dementia (EOD) starts below the age of 65 years. It accounts for 4-10% of all cases of dementia. EOD has significant psychosocial consequences because it affects people in their most productive years of life, with numerous family, professional and social responsibilities. There are many diseases that have been identified as the cause of the EOD. Among them, the most common are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, traumatic brain injury, alcohol related dementia, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, mixed dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Down's syndrome. Most studies have demonstrated Alzheimer's disease as the most common etiology of EOD. The article presents the case of a 33-year-old patient hospitalized in the Department of Neurology in Zabrze, with cognitive dysfunction, speech disordersand featuresof Parkinson's extrapyramidal syndrome that have been progressing for about 15 months. The MR of the head revealed cortical and subcortical atrophy, especially in parietal and temporal lobes. The cerebrospinal fluid examination showed decreased level of ß-amyloid and significantly elevated level of H-tau. The patient was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which was confirmed by genetic testing - the sequence change was identified in the gene for presenilin 1 in a heterozygous system.

Vigilance, Inhibitory Control and Regional Cerebral Blood Oxygenation in the PFC - Differences in ADHD Types of Presentations.

It is commonly believed that proven abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the prefrontal lobes affect cognitive deficits in children with ADHD. The purpose of the current study was to assess vigilance, inhibitory control, and regional cerebral blood oxygenation (rCBO2) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of children with ADHD. The study included 150 children with ADHD and 51 typically developing (TD) children aged 9-12 years. Children with ADHD showed a deficit in vigilance (assessed by the shortened version of the Mackworth clock task), inhibitory control (the Stroop task), different rCBO2 patterns in the PFC, as well as lower cortical activation during cognitive tasks. These differences are discussed in the context of the types of ADHD presentations.

Individualized Neurofeedback Training May Help Achieve Long-Term Improvement of Working Memory in Children With ADHD.

Background. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may suffer from working memory deficits, which can adversely affect their academic performance. Neurofeedback training may enhance working memory and provide a solution to this problem. Aim. To investigate the effect of frequency-neurofeedback on working memory in children with ADHD and to check if the effect is long-lasting. Method. Forty-eight children with ADHD (aged 6-12 years) were randomly assigned either to a neurofeedback with training parameters chosen to take into account each child's peak alpha frequency (PAF) or to a waiting list control group. Each trained child underwent 19-channel electroencephalography (EEG). All children had average intelligence and none were receiving treatment, such as medications, for ADHD. Prior to the training, MOXO and n-back tests were performed. Next, neurofeedback training sessions with frequency bands for theta and beta ranges determined using each child's PAF were carried out for 10 weeks. Training parameters were set to increase amplitudes in the low beta range and to decrease amplitudes in the theta and high beta frequency ranges. The n-back test was performed again right after the training and then a year later. Results. During the first n-back test, children from both groups responded correctly to more than 43% of the stimuli. During the second test, children from the waiting list responded correctly to an average of 49% of the stimuli, while children who underwent the neurofeedback training were correct, on average, 69% of the time (significant difference, P < .001). During the third n-back test a year later, children from the waiting list responded correctly to 53% of the stimuli, while those who underwent the neurofeedback training responded correctly to nearly 71%. Conclusion. This study found a statistically significant improvement in a measure of working memory in children who did 10 to 12 sessions of neurofeedback training with training frequency ranges for theta and beta defined according to each child's PAF. The beneficial effects were still present a year after training.

The Impact of Different Sounds on Stress Level in the Context of EEG, Cardiac Measures and Subjective Stress Level: A Pilot Study.

Everyone experiences stress at certain times in their lives. This feeling can motivate, however, if it persists for a prolonged period, it leads to negative changes in the human body. Stress is characterized, among other things, by increased blood pressure, increased pulse and decreased alpha-frequency brainwave activity. An overview of the literature indicates that music therapy can be an effective and inexpensive method of improving these factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of various types of music on stress level in subjects. The conducted experiment involved nine females, aged 22. All participants were healthy and did not have any neurological or psychiatric disorders. The test included four types of audio stimuli: silence (control sample), rap, relaxing music and music triggering an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) phenomenon. The impact of individual sound types was assessed using data obtained from four sources: a fourteen-channel electroencephalograph, a blood pressure monitor, a pulsometer and participant's subjective stress perception. The conclusions from the conducted study indicate that rap music negatively affects the reduction of stress level compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas relaxing music and ASMR calms subjects much faster than silence (p < 0.05).